What is the difference between 6pr and 8pr tires?
2 Answers
8pr has more layers, better load-bearing performance, is stronger and more durable, but has poorer comfort; while 6pr has slightly inferior performance but is more comfortable. Below is the relevant introduction: 1. The strength of tubeless tires is indicated by the number of tire layers (PR). Although a higher number of tubeless tire layers means stronger load-bearing capacity, more layers are not necessarily better. This is because as the number of tubeless tire layers increases, while durability improves, the comfort of the tire decreases. It is recommended to have your car inspected at a local 4S shop when choosing the tire layer level during tire replacement to select the most suitable tire layer level for your car. 2. The number of tire layers represents the nominal number of cord fabric layers inside the tire rubber, which is an important indicator of tire strength. The cord fabric materials include cotton, rayon, nylon, steel wire, and others, with the nominal number of cord fabric layers based on cotton cord. The number of cord fabric layers can be considered the skeleton of the tire, mainly used to withstand the tire's load pressure, internal air pressure, and lateral shear forces. Generally, the higher the tire layer level, the stronger the strength, and the greater the mass it can bear.
I've been running an auto repair shop for many years and frequently help customers replace tires, encountering many questions about PR ratings. The main differences between 6PR and 8PR lie in strength and load capacity. PR stands for Ply Rating, with higher values indicating stronger, more durable tires. 6PR is suitable for light vehicles like sedans, offering moderate load capacity at a more affordable price. 8PR, on the other hand, is better suited for pickups, SUVs, or vehicles frequently carrying heavy loads, as it can withstand greater weight without easily deforming or blowing out. For example, a work truck regularly loaded to capacity using 6PR tires will wear out quickly and pose safety risks—I've seen cases where this led to accidents. My safety advice is to choose the PR value matching your vehicle's manual; don't swap tires arbitrarily to save money or follow trends. For daily errands, 6PR is perfectly adequate, but if you often go off-road or carry heavy loads, upgrading to 8PR offers peace of mind and can extend tire life by tens of thousands of kilometers.
